A powerful windstorm, fueled by a rapidly deepening low-pressure system known as a ‘bomb cyclone,’ left over 200,000 BC Hydro customers without power on Tuesday night. The storm, which brought high-speed winds to Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coast, intensified throughout the day, reaching its peak with strong gusts in the late evening.
The bomb cyclone, which arrived around 400 kilometers off the west coast of Vancouver Island, delivered the fierce winds that meteorologists had predicted. Environment and Climate Change Canada warned that wind speeds would intensify, particularly late Tuesday night, causing significant disruption to the region.
By Tuesday evening, widespread power outages were reported in areas across Vancouver Island, particularly in Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and several other northern municipalities. These communities, located on the island’s eastern shore, were hardest hit, with many residents left in the dark. In addition, several areas in the Lower Mainland, including Richmond, also experienced power outages as the storm strengthened.
According to BC Hydro, the storm’s impact extended beyond B.C. as well. In neighboring western Washington state, around 94,000 customers were without power due to similar high winds and snow in the Cascade Mountain passes. Oregon also experienced outages, with more than 12,000 customers affected by the storm, as reported by PowerOutage.us.
BC Hydro has long prepared for storm seasons, ensuring that crews are ready to respond to weather-related power outages. Spokesperson Kevin Aquino stated that the utility has been closely monitoring the situation with the help of its in-house meteorologists. This foresight allowed the company to quickly deploy additional crews and contract extra support, including call center agents, to assist in managing the storm’s effects.
“We have a team of in-house meteorologists that have been tracking this weather system quite closely, and that definitely enabled us to ramp up our BC Hydro crews, contract our crews, and call centre agents,” Aquino explained. “So if the lights do go out, we’re ready to respond.”
Despite the extensive preparation, Aquino acknowledged the difficulty of predicting exactly where damage would occur, as the storm’s intensity varies across different regions. He encouraged all BC Hydro customers to be ready for possible outages by assembling emergency kits containing enough supplies to last for at least 72 hours.
“The problematic thing about the drought-weakened trees is that they are more susceptible to break and snap onto electrical infrastructure, thus causing power outages,” Aquino warned. He explained that the province’s ongoing drought conditions have left trees more vulnerable to damage, which could exacerbate the storm’s impact on the electrical grid.
As winds continued to whip across the region, Aquino stressed the importance of safety for those encountering downed power lines. He advised that anyone who comes across a fallen power line should always assume it is live and stay at least 10 meters away from it. In such cases, BC Hydro recommends calling 911 to report the situation, as it is considered an emergency.
“A down line is considered an emergency, and our crews will work with responders to ensure that the area is safe,” Aquino said.
The storm’s intensity prompted BC Hydro to continue monitoring its progress throughout the night. Crews were expected to work around the clock to restore power to affected customers, though Aquino warned that full restoration might take time depending on the severity of the damage. With trees weakened by the drought and the storm’s heavy winds and rain, the possibility of further disruptions remained high. BC Hydro’s response teams are continuing to assess the damage as the storm progresses, ensuring that resources are deployed to the areas most in need.
As the storm moved across Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and parts of western Washington, local authorities urged residents to take precautions. In addition to preparing emergency supplies, authorities recommended securing outdoor furniture, checking storm drains, and staying indoors during the worst of the winds to minimize the risk of injury. Given the power outages, many communities began organizing temporary shelters and warming stations to help those without electricity, especially in colder areas where heating might be a concern.
As the storm reached its height, BC Hydro and local government officials coordinated closely, ensuring that emergency services were in place to assist those who might need help, particularly vulnerable populations. Crews were dispatched to clear fallen trees and debris from roadways, while emergency responders were on standby to manage any incidents related to the storm’s intensity.
In the coming days, BC Hydro will likely continue its efforts to restore power across the affected regions. While the storm has passed its peak, cleanup and power restoration are expected to continue well into the week, as crews work to repair infrastructure and remove debris caused by the bomb cyclone. The full impact of the storm, including its economic costs, is still being assessed.
As of late Tuesday night, power outages continued to affect large portions of B.C. and Washington state. In some areas, residents were warned that power might not be fully restored until later in the week, depending on the extent of the damage.
Residents who lost power were advised to monitor BC Hydro’s updates and use the utility’s online tools to track outages and restoration efforts. With more storms expected in the coming months, BC Hydro officials emphasized the importance of continued preparedness, urging customers to stay informed about the weather and keep emergency supplies on hand.
For now, the focus remains on restoring power to those affected by the bomb cyclone, and ensuring that communities remain safe during this challenging weather event. As the storm subsides, the region will begin to assess the full impact, and authorities will continue their efforts to ensure recovery from this powerful fall storm.